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Originally posted by Mike AI@Feb 6 2003, 11:00 AM
...The only true way this is going to happen, is if the muslim countries have their standard of living raised, and are no longer wallowing in poverty, holding onto a fundementalist view of Islam to make them feel better about their shitty situation.
US goes into Iraq, clear out the country of dangerous weapons, then stabilizes the gov't, rebuild the country, sets up some sort of democracy, and FREE market economy. Over time, like in Japan and Germany after WWII Iraq starts coming out of its backward ways and the standard of living rises considerably, people are free, and happy - and this will put pressue on the AUTHORTARIAN countries that surround it. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, etc....
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I was watching Oprah today (yes, oprah) and there was a woman on her panel that addressed this....she said that even IF the US went in to Iraq, removed Saddam, and implemented a DEMOCRATIC government, 'the people' would possibly go out and 'elect' an ever WORSE leader, possibly one that embraces Fundamental Islam. (it is well known that Saddam does not)
You HAVE to remember that these people don't live as we do, they don't think as we do, they don't believe as we do. Their religious beliefs play a MUCH larger roll in their society and government than they do here. (thank gawd)
Just because we give them the ability to CHOOSE a leader, doesn't mean they will chose the one we think is best.
The difference with Japan and Germany, is that neither of these countries and their people had roots in Fundamental religion....therefore it was an easier to 'transform' them into free market democracies.
I tend to relate to what this woman said. I think to believe the US going in, removing Saddam, and creating a free market democracy is a utopia....not a possible reality.
As for the french:
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We probably would not have won the war without the help from Lafayette and the French
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You're right. They certainly weren't pussies then were they....
h34r:
[edited because my words were a bit harsher than I intended...lol]
Last edited by gigi at Feb 7 2003, 09:15 PM